Defiant Philippines will resupply South China Sea troops despite Beijing’s block

Name: Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of firing water cannons at its vessels in disputed waters
Uploaded: 2023-08-20T00:04:01.000Z
Duration: 2 min 13 s
Description: Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of firing water cannons at its vessels in disputed waters

The nation’s armed forces said they would again try to supply a WWII-era ship on a reef, after China’s coastguard used water cannons during a previous attempt

‘This exercise of our sovereign rights … is a testament to our beliefs in … international order that underpins regional peace and stability,’ a spokesman said

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A Philippine flag flutters onboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines used as a military outpost, in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea March. Photo: Reuters

Reuters

Published: 8:04am, 20 Aug 2023Updated: 6:30pm, 20 Aug 2023

The Philippine armed forces said it would again seek to resupply troops stationed in a rusty World War II-era ship on a reef in the South China Sea, after China blocked a previous attempt with water cannons.

“This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” armed forces spokesperson Medel Aguilar said in a statement.

Manila filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing this month after China’s coastguard used water cannon and “dangerous” moves to prevent the Philippines from sending supplies to a handful of troops in the Second Thomas Shoal.

China claims almost all the South China Sea, an assertion rejected internationally, while Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines have various claims to certain areas.

Manila calls on all relevant parties to respect its sovereignty and jurisdiction over its maritime zones, Aguilar said, adding that Manila supported the peaceful settlement of disputes.

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Chinese coastguard said on August 7 it had told the Philippines not to send ships to the shoal and not to send “construction materials used for large-scale repair and reinforcement” to the warship.

The Philippines intentionally grounded the warship in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the shoal, which lies within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

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Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of firing water cannons at its vessels in disputed waters